Okay, so I’ve been seeing “gothic fashion” all over my Pinterest and TikTok lately, and I kinda wanted to try it out myself. I’ve always been drawn to darker aesthetics, but never fully committed. This is my journey into the world of Goth, documented.
Diving In: Research & Inspiration
First thing I did was research. Not gonna lie, the amount of info out there is OVERWHELMING. Different types of goth? Sub-styles? I’m just a beginner!
I created a Pinterest board and I started pinning like a madwoman. Anything that caught my eye – outfits, makeup looks, accessories, the whole shebang. I wanted to understand the vibe I was going for.
- Lots of black, obviously.
- Velvet, lace, fishnet… I saw these materials a lot.
- Boots. Big, chunky boots. Seemed essential.
The Closet Purge (and Replenish)
Next, I attacked my own closet. I already had a few black pieces, but nothing super “gothic”. I had a black velvet skirt I hadn’t worn in ages, and a few black tops that could potentially work.

So I went shopping. Thrifting is HUGE in the goth community, so I hit up my local secondhand stores. I was on a mission!
- I scored a long, black lace skirt for like $10!
- Found a pair of used, but surprisingly comfy, combat boots.
- Grabbed some fishnet tights and a few silver rings with interesting designs.
Experimenting with Makeup
Makeup is a big part of the look. I’m no makeup artist, but I watched a few YouTube tutorials. Black eyeliner is my new best friend.
- I practiced my eyeliner A LOT. Winged liner is harder than it looks!
- Tried a dark red lipstick. Felt instantly more dramatic.
- Realized I need to invest in a good black eyeshadow.
Putting it All Together: My First Goth-Inspired Outfits
This was the fun part. I started mixing and matching my existing clothes with my new finds.

My first attempt:
- Black velvet skirt
- Black, slightly sheer top
- Fishnet tights
- Combat boots
- Silver rings
- Dark red lipstick, winged eyeliner
I felt…different. A good different. It felt like I was expressing a side of myself I’d kept hidden. I still felt like “me”, just with a bit more edge.
I tried a few other combinations. A black dress with the boots and tights. A black t-shirt with the lace skirt. I’m slowly figuring out what I like and what works for my body type.

The Verdict (So Far)
This is just the beginning of my gothic fashion journey. I’m still learning and experimenting. It’s about more than just the clothes; it’s a whole aesthetic and attitude. It’s about embracing the darker side of things and finding beauty in the unconventional. I’m excited to see where this takes me!